Near the South Carolina border lies Augusta, the third-largest city in the state of Georgia. Augusta is home to a variety of fine restaurants and cafes, natural parks and recreation programs, shopping centers, entertainment venues, and a thriving golf community. It’s also notable for hosting The Masters Golf Tournament, making it a premier destination for all golf enthusiasts. There are also plenty of opportunities for biking, hiking, and embarking on boating excursions along the Savannah River, and is only located two and a half hours away from the mountains and beach for even more outdoor adventures.
If you’re looking for a luxurious community that blends a bustling downtown life with the enduring beauty of nature, then Augusta is the place for you. Here are five things to consider as you’re browsing Augusta luxury homes.
1. Know what you want.
Knowing what you want before you begin browsing is a pivotal step for first-time buyers. Ask yourself the following questions:
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How many bedrooms do I want? How many bathrooms?
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What are my must-have amenities? A home gym? A personal office or study? An outdoor swimming pool?
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What is my preferred location? Would I prefer to live in a quieter part of the neighborhood, or closer to the community?
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What about the size of the backyard?
Putting together a checklist of what you want and need in a home will help you narrow results down once you begin searching. This is your dream home, after all, and every aspect matters.
2. Hire a luxury real estate agent.
Luxury real estate is complex, so it’s strongly recommended that you hire a local real estate agent with the appropriate experience and expertise. Lisa Moss of The Moss Group is a luxury specialist with more than 12 years of experience in both selling and buying homes. Specializing in the Augusta area, she is deeply familiar with the neighborhood and would be a valuable asset in buying your first home.
Real estate agents like Lisa have all of the knowledge and skills you need to buy a home while keeping your best interests in mind. They’ll guide you through the process to ensure you find a home that meets your needs.
3. Understand the home buying process.
There are multiple variables involved with the home buying process that affect how long it takes overall. Here is a breakdown of the general home buying timeline:
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Plan and consider what you’re looking for in a home. Refer to 1 for some questions to ask yourself during this stage.
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Get pre-approved before you begin browsing homes. Pre-approval provides you with the financial information you need about how much of a loan you qualify for. The pre-approval process can take up to a few days or more.
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Hire a local real estate agent with luxury expertise. Contacting and setting up a consultation with an agent usually takes a week, but it can take longer.
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Browse listings. Remember your must-haves, and also take note of any deal-breakers you have. This stage can take up to several weeks depending on the number of available homes and how competitive the market is. The more competitive a market, the more likely homes are to sell quickly, thus encouraging buyers to make faster decisions.
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Once you find a home, make an offer. Assuming you don’t set a deadline, it can take a few days for the seller to respond.
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During the negotiation period, you may also schedule a house inspection or appraisal, adding another week or so to the process.
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If your offer is accepted, there are a few closing reports to take care of, and then you can review and finalize your loan. This stage typically takes a few days, but it’s the final step to achieving homeownership.
The timeline is never set in stone. A home may sell within a month, or it could take up to eight months. It all depends on how prepared you are, the market itself, and the other people involved such as mortgage lenders, inspectors, and the seller.
4. Photos are only a preview.
Sellers hire professional home stagers and photographers to ensure their listings appear as attractive and appealing as possible, even if the property itself is imperfect. Regard online photos as a preview, and schedule an in-person tour and walkthrough to see the house for yourself. You may find that the rooms are actually smaller than they appear in photos or other features that don’t quite match what you’re looking for. Experience the house for yourself. You might discover that a home in person isn’t anything like the home in the listing.
5. Always negotiate.
If you’re in the market for a luxury home, you might think you have to pay the listed price in full. In truth, you’re strongly encouraged to negotiate when you make an offer. Work with your real estate agent to research the property and neighborhood. Find out how much the previous owners paid. Point out what needs repairs or renovations. Discover how much value the neighborhood is adding to the listed price.
If the seller needs the money and the market isn’t competitive enough to bring competing bids, you might find your offer accepted for less than the listed price. But if the market is competitive, and you aren’t the only one bidding on the property, you might have to offer more. Always check in with your agent to understand the local market trends and make a reasonable offer.
When it comes to buying your first home, your best and most valuable resource will always be your real estate agent. Not only are they well-experienced with the home buying process, but they also know and understand the local neighborhood and market. An agent will always prioritize your wants and needs. Don’t be afraid to rely on them and specify exactly what you’re looking for.
Agents like Lisa Moss are here to help. Once you’re ready to begin purchasing your first home, reach out to Lisa and begin browsing Augusta luxury homes. The hidden Southern beauty and charm that is Augusta is waiting for you, so don’t delay!
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